1 Million Back Strike of Brazil Bank Workers

More than 1 million Brazilian workers began a strike Thursday to press the wage demands of bank employees, union spokesmen said.

Besides the strikers, estimated at 750,000, schoolteachers and public servants joined the stoppage in support of the bank workers, who voted to stop work indefinitely after employers rejected demands for a 26.5% pay increase.

Labor Minister Almir Pazzianotto said the government is negotiating with the unions and hopes for a solution before the end of the week.